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Sunday, July 31, 2011

The fifth of ten children, Elijah Cody Martin was born in Steuben County, New York, about June 7, 1808. He died on April 9, 1874, and his birth date is calculated from his age at his death as recorded on his headstone "65y 10mo 2ds." His parents, Uriah and Rhoda (Stiles) Martin, relocated to Greene County, Ohio, before 1816, where Uriah died in 1829.

Of their 11 children, the first five were born in Miami Township, Logan County, Ohio. They were Indiana, William Jasper, Sarah Jane, John Webb and Tamsan Elizabeth. The next five children were also born in Logan County. Their names were Rhoda, Robert Mercer, Lucy Ellen, Samuel Kinsey Leedham and Rebecca Floral. Samuel and Rebecca were twins. As Elijah and his family were enumerated in Pleasant Township in 1850, it is likely these children were born there. Elijah's mother died there in 1849. The family removed to Muscatine County, Iowa between 1852 and the birth of the last child, Abigail C., on November 25, 1854.

In 1856, Elijah's family was living in Sugar Creek Township, Cedar County, Iowa; but, they were back in Muscatine County, Bloomington Township, by the time the 1860 Federal Census was taken. In 1870, Elijah, Elizabeth and some of their children were living in Moscow, also in Muscatine County.

Elijah was a farmer. He died in 1874 in Muscatine County. He is buried at the Oakdale Cemetery in Wilton, Iowa. Buried near him is his son-in-law, Levi A. Kellogg.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

The journey for Eugene Marguerat from his birth near Lausanne, Switzerland, to finally settling in Chicago, Illinois, held many twists and turns. Born to a prominent clergyman, Isaac Marguerat, and his wife, Barbara Lisette Debonneville, on June 7, 1829, Eugene received his early education in Lausanne, graduating from the National College of Lausanne. He was known to be especially accomplished in Latin, as well as a knowledge of Greek and the ancient classics. He traveled to Paris, France, where he began his study of medicine.

In 1850, with other young men, he departed from his studies for a time and took passage on the St. Denis for America in pursuit of land and fortune as a farmer. He became a naturalized citizen of the United States of America in Tioga County, New York, on August 6, 1855.

After visiting western New York, he was persuaded that his future did not lie in farming. He took a position as a professor at Owego Acadamy, teaching French and the classic languages. One of his students in French literature was John D. Rockefeller. Eugene taught there for three years. He was also a proponent of Esperanto.

As soon as he was able, he resumed his medical training. In 1855, he entered Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, receiving a degree in 1857. He matriculated to the medical department of New York University, where he graduated in 1859, and received his diploma in 1860. He also studied cases at Bellevue Hospital in New York, and in Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia. He was first a practicing physician in Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York, under the tutelage of Charles A. Coryell, where Eugene was enumerated as living in the John Hedden household in 1860.

Also living in Ithaca with Dr. Coryell was his granddaughter, Grace Eliza Coryell. On October 10, 1860, Grace and Eugene were married, presumably in Ithaca.

In 1861, Eugene was found worthy by the state of New York to serve as a surgeon to the troops during the Civil War. However, having removed to Chicago in 1862, he volunteered there and was sent to care for the sick and wounded at the Battle of Pittsburg Landing (Shiloh). He fought the epidemics of cholera and smallpox in the early days of Chicago.

Eugene & Grace Marguerat were prominent citizens of Chicago, and were often seen in the social pages. They had seven children: Claire Elise, William Allen, Charles Coryell, Eugene Francois, George Coryell, Henri Debonneville and John Parsons.

His life seems to have been one during which learning and service played central roles. On March 7, 1907, Dr. Eugene Marguerat died of a cerebral hemorrhage, surrounded by his family. His remains were cremated at Graceland Cemetery, as was his wish.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

It has taken me a while to get to finishing up on the Colorado Family History Expo. Life just keeps going on, and on, and on....

On Saturday, I made one more presentation, which I totally enjoyed. My 'room monitor' and those who attended were wonderful. I think all of us had fun!

I also enjoyed spending some time in the 'Ask the Pros' booth. What a challenge for my poor little brain! I spoke with people researching their families from all areas of the United States, as well as Germany, England and Italy. I definitely got some serious mental exercise as I searched my memory for ideas that might help them break through their brick walls.

Here are a couple of pictures from the Exhibit Hall.

Hubby and I explored the Loveland area a little, while we had the opportunity. The weather was perfect! We found the landscape and the scenery to be divine. And, the guacamole burger I had at Carl's Jr. was beyond delicious! :D I'm already looking forward to Colorado, 2012.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Not much is known at this time about Mary Lord who married John Hoyle. We do know that she and John emigrated to Canada in about 1879. Mary died in Dundas, Wentworth County, Ontario, Canada, on March 11, 1886. According to the extracted death record, she was 76 years old, making her born about 1809/10.

Mary and John were married on February 3, 1851, in Goodshaw, Lancashire, England. John had been married previously and had several children. He and Mary had one child, John Richard Hoyle, who was born April 28, 1852. Mary's father's name was Richard.

When the census was taken in 1851, the family lived on Rings Row, Higher Booths, Lancashire, England. It is recorded that Mary was born in Mitchells, Lancashire. In both 1861 and 1871, her birthplace is recorded as Higher Booths. According to family sources, she was born in Goodshaw Chapel, Crawshawbooth, Lancashire. All of these places are located near each other. John and Mary lived with their family on Orchard Place in Crawshaw Booth in 1871.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

The name of Grace Eliza Coryell Marguerat has been familiar to me almost as long as I can remember. She was my Grandma Claire Hoyle's grandmother who lived in Chicago. Grandma was very proud of her heritage through Grace, who was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.), being a descendant of both John Coryell and Emanuel Coryell, who served with distinction. John Coryell supplied General George Washington with boats to cross the Delaware River at Coryell's Ferry. Emanuel was a quartermaster.

Born into this distinguished family on September 12, 1838, in Nichols, Tioga County, New York, her parents were George Patterson and Harriet Nancy (Field) Coryell. Grace was the third of four children. Sarah and Charles were older, with a younger sister, Martha. All of them eventually moved to the Chicago, Illinois, area.

By 1862, Grace and Eugene were established in Chicago. As a prominent and respected citizen of Chicago, she was mentioned in society page articles. Grace was active in the D.A.R., as well as other organizations in the city. She belonged to the Chicago Woman's Club for many years, beginning in November of 1880. She was a member of the Reform Committee in 1890.

According to this reference, she submitted an essay. It would be so interesting to find it!

Grace bore seven children: Claire Elise, William Allen, Charles Coryell, Eugene Francois, George Coryell, Henri Debonneville and John Parson. While all of them lived to adulthood, the family suffered several tragedies in the way of infant and child deaths, as well as the early death of a daughter-in-law by suicide. There were also other reasons for sadness, including divorces, and another daughter-in-law who was declared insane and placed in a mental institution. I imagine Grace to have been a very strong woman.

Eugene died on March 7, 1907. Grace outlived him by eight years, almost to the day, passing away on March 6, 1915, in Chicago. According to her death record, she succumbed to chronic bronchitis, which she had suffered for 30 years. She is buried in the Graceland Cemetery in Chicago.

Welcome to my genealogy blog! Please look around. I hope you enjoy the stories and ideas.With over 35 years of genealogical research experience, I've helped many people discover new information about their family histories. I've taught numerous classes and made presentations throughout the nation. I enjoy sharing my knowledge and experience with others, as well as searching for the next missing piece, no matter where it belongs!